Fishing Report
When is the best time to go fishing? Here in the north woods, every day is the best day. Our area contains a wide range of lakes with varied depths, shoreline structures, and a wide range of fish species. Seasoned anglers know success requires patience and a willingness to try different techniques. If you have a youngster in the group, they will most likely catch the biggest fish - it always happens. So, maybe no technique is a good strategy too. For those interested in learning about lake structure, water quality, or creel surveys, we encourage you to visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lake Finder page. Area lakes will either be found in St. Louis or Lake County. Minnesota Fishing Regulations
October 6th, 2024
Steven Renneberg — October 6, 2024
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Heavy winds this last week had many anglers laying low. Anglers that went out fishing found active walleyes in 15-20 feet of water around wind-blown points and sunken islands. Small and medium sized suckers were the hot baits. Anglers fished them on a lindy rig or 1/4-3/8oz jig. Gold, blue/white and pink/white were the hot colors this last week. Water temps are now in the mid to high 50’s.
Smallmouth - Smallies continue to binge feed on anything they can get in their mouths. Large and medium size suckers have been the best way to avoid catching piles of 2-3lb bass. Lindy rigs and jigs have been the best way to fish large minnows. Sunken islands that top out in 10-15ft of water have been the best areas to find smallies. Not all humps are created equal, so if the bass aren’t biting on the hump your fishing, keep moving!
Crappies - Multiple anglers have been reporting that the crappies have started to school up and are sliding down to warmer, stable water temperatures. Anglers should now be focusing their efforts in the 12-16ft of water range. Jig/twister, beetle spins, and the classic crappie minnow and bobber have been catching crappies. Anglers have been finding crappies just off weedbeds and around sunken islands.
Pike - Pike activity has increased again this last week as cooler water temps have arrived. Large suckers, fished under a bobber, large minnow bait and large soft plastic minnow baits have been deadly this last week. Big pike are starting to set up on major points, shallow rocky flats and river mouths as they wait for fall spawning ciscos and whitefish to arrive. Anglers looking for that trophy pike should be focusing their efforts in these areas.
Stream Trout - Clearly, as cooler temps start to cool off the water, stream trout fishing is only going to get better and better. Rainbow trout continue to get the bulk of anglers' attention. Trolling cowbells, with small crankbaits, over deep water continues to be the most effective way for boat anglers to find and catch rainbows. Brook trout have started to show up in angler reports too now. Anglers have been finding them suspended over deep water yet, but as water temps drop, brookies will move up shallow.